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Minister to ASUU: Government alone cannot fund education in Nigeria

Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige, Honourable Minister for Labour and Employment

*The Minister for Labour and Employment acknowledges the state of the country’s education system is nothing to ‘cheer about’, but insists education cannot be funded by the government alone

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a direct response to the imminent strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the faithful implementation of their Memorandum of Action (MoA) earlier reached with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige, Honourable Minister for Labour and Employment, has declared that education cannot be funded by the government alone.

The Minister stated this while responding to questions about the looming industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on a Channels TV progamme monitored Tuesday, November 16, 2021, in Lagos.

ConsumerConnect had reported that Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, Monday this week had issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address all issues in the December 2020 (MoA) Agreement.

The academic body said should the government fail to implement the Memorandum of Action signed with ASUU prior to the suspension of the last industrial action, the Union would be compelled to embark on another nationwide strike.

Some of the issues include unpaid allowances as well as the universities revitalisation fund.

Sen. Ngige said: “The state of education here is not anything to cheer about, I agree. The standard has fallen, I agree. But education cannot be funded by Government alone.

“I know that because I schooled here in Nigeria. I did my primary education, secondary and university here and I did my post-graduate outside the country.

“But I can tell you, in other climes education is not only done by government.”

The Minister further maintained that he has continued to do everything within his power to meet their demands.

He noted: “As Minister of Labour, I have even crossed my own territory. I have done extra-territorial jobs to make sure that we satisfy their members.

“They know I’m doing my best for them, I am the one talking to finance, education and the NUC.”

CIBN urges  government to reform education sector

Meanwhile, in view of the reported decay in education sector of the Nigerian economy in recent years, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has advised the Federal Government to urgently reform and review the sector for optimal performance.

It was gathered the

The Institute also suggested collaboration among governments, the organised private sector (OPS), and well-meaning individuals in the country to reposition the vital educational system.

According to the professional body, education remains the bedrock of any developing country of the world.

Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, President of Council of CIBN, was qlao quoted to have disclosed that some countries which were Nigeria’s peers in the early ’60s had since moved from 3rd world to 1st world countries.

Olugbemi cited Singapore, which educational system, has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the world by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The CIBN Chief stated: “The change that we seek in our nation must take its bearing from education and our focus and approach to education must change.”

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